Huge student block to tower over neighbour
PLANS for a huge 540-bed student tower in Birmingham city centre have been approved.
The Vita Student building will be built facing Suffolk Street Queensway, adjoining Gough Street, and tower over an old Victorian chapel.
Nearby residents originally argued the tower would block out the sun in their homes. Consequently, the application was deferred last December.
Another objection was received from the landowner of the neighbouring Queensgate House.
They said: “We are disappointed the applicant did not consult with neighbours prior to the submission of the application and provided the opportunity for discussion and feedback.
“The approach taken by the developer is not conductive to creating a positive sense of place and making the best and efficient use of land. The distance and erosion if developable area on the applicant’s site is wholly unacceptable especially given the applicant intends to erect a building 0.7 metres from the same boundary.”
The vacant site had previously been occupied by a print works and cultural centre.
Councillor Lee Marsham, who sits on the planning committee, said: “This is a much-improved design, regenerating a vacant brownfield site within the city. All the figures show that there is a need for more purpose-built student accommodation in our city, and it is increasingly where students rather live.”
Graham Mitchell, of developers MRP said: “The granting of planning permission for Gough Street is a very significant milestone in the delivery of this exciting new project which will provide safe, stylish student living in a prominent location in the city centre.
“The scheme directly meets the rising demand of student housing in the city and will help to alleviate the pressure on the city’s private housing market, by providing fully managed and purpose designed accommodation.”